LIVE - As it should be
05/25/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album takes you there! You get the energy, wit, humor and extraordinary talent of the incomperable Dee Dee Bridgewater at her absolute best. She is already recognized as one of the most important jazz singers. She will undoubtedly be heralded as the most significant vocalist of her genre to come in the past several generations. Anyone who has ever seen her live will attest that she is unbelievable. You want to jump out of your seat and dance. You howl with laughter - she's an amazing comedian. She can turn around and sing the most sophisticated ballad and then follow it up with an uncanny Armstrong horn impersonation. The musicians are fierce, Dee Dee is on fire and the audience is going wild! It's almost as good as being there.This is Bridgewater at her amazing, fun, funky, hysterical best. If you love jazz, you will love this album. If you don't love jazz, this will open up a whole new world. She's not your Grandma's jazz singer - she's that and a whole lot more!"
Didn't Nobody Go Down to the Boat Show and Buy No Boat?!
S. Sarabia | Portland, ME, USA | 01/16/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Not only is Dee Dee Bridgewater rooted in classic Jazz Vocals, but she is one of the world's most reknowned Scat specialists! This woman, in the tradition of Ella Fitzgerald, can out scat ANYONE! There is an amazing warmth and intimacy about this concert which is instantly evident in this recording and the rapport she shares with her audience is not only comical but loving as well. She performs some very impressive versions of classic Jazz Vocal masterpieces such as "Undecided and "Cherokee," among others. The real treats here are in her hilarious spoken intro to "Slow Boat to China" and a rousing and absolutely kick-ass (complete with a rap) version of James Brown's raunchy "Sex Machine." Check it out and you'll see what I mean! This is one BANGIN' live album and quite possibly one of the best live albums EVER next to say, Natalie Cole's "Natalie...LIVE!" from 1978. Though vocally they do not compare, it's all about the presentation here and in one listen, you SWEAR you're right in the same room WITH her! It's amazing and the delivery of ALL the songs showcased here is spot on!"